The Mystery of the Pale Horse Rider Revelation and End Times

Quite a mystery surrounds the pale horse rider in Revelation as he rides out at the end times. There seems to be some controversy surrounding the true color of the horse. We'll take a look at the possible color schemes of this apocalyptical figure, later.

Regardless, the pale horse rider of Revelation has a terrible historic goal at the end times. According to the author of the book, this rider will destroy one-fourth of the population of the world. When he goes out to make war, he won't mess around. His war tactics will be horrendous—nearly 6 billion people.

With the other three riders from chapter 6 of Revelation, their color depicts their war tactics. For instance the rider on the black horse will cause death and famine. The rider on the red horse will take peace from the world. He will make war!

The pale horse rider of Revelation has the same terrible effects attached to his color. The Greek word for "pale or ashen" is chlorous or green. Mark 6:39, Jesus commands them to sit on the green (chlorous) grass. Revelation 9:4, commands them not to hurt the green (chlorous) things.

It's interesting to note that our word chlorine comes from this Greek word, chlorous. There is a real possibility that the war this rider causes will be chemical, chlorine gas. In order to accomplish his goal—nearly 6 billion people—in a short period of time would indicate that he must result to chemical or atomic warfare.

Remember, too, that John is seeing this vision well over 2000 years before it ever occurs. He can't possibly know anything about chemicals for war and atomic energy. He can only describe the incidents based on his real world experiences at the time. So the things he sees, a greenish, yellowish substance (chlorine gas) hanging low over a densely populated area with people in all stages of death and dying, could only be described in his own vernacular.

However, the translators of the Bible decided that people would not believe a green horse—maybe they don't either. Therefore, they chose a color, pale or ashen, that also depicts the conditions the rider will cause on earth, i.e. sickness, death, illness and the inability to defend oneself because of all these.

There are many pathological conditions that can result from exposure to chlorine gas. Severe pulmonary edema, a condition where excessive fluid buildup occurs between tissue cells, is one condition. Pneumonia is yet another. Multiple pulmonary thromboses, blood clots in the lungs, can occur as well. Along with the above, ulcerative tracheobronchitis can happen, too.

If indeed the rider on the pale horse uses chlorine gas, he can destroy a huge segment of population very quickly. Exposure to 430 ppm in the air for 30 minutes will cause death. Voluntary exposure to 1 ppm by humans showed various results of the above symptoms. One important thing about exposure to the gas is that your body doesn't recognize the extent of your exposure—1 ppm or 430 ppm.

Perhaps this helps unwind some of the mystery of the pale horse rider of end times and Revelation. He could be riding something that looks green! No matter his mode of transportation or his method of warfare, he will bring mass destruction to our planet. The destruction of life he leaves behind will be horrific.